Catalyst Paper said that it will start one line of pup production at its Crofton NBSK (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft) kraft mill on Vancouver Island, British, Columbia, Canada, due to improved market conditions. The kraft pulp will be indefinitely idled in February of this year, removing approximately 400,000 tonnes of annual capacity.
“Pulp markets have improved in recent weeks with stronger demand and pricing,” said Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer. “Better markets enable the restart on one of the two lines of our kraft mill,” Garneau said. “But chip supply is limited and fiber availability is expected to remain challenging through the balance of this year,” he cautioned.
The restart is scheduled for early October & the restart on one line will add 210,000 tons of pulp capacity on an annualized basis. Production will continue as long as markets, mill costs, and fiber availability support it, Catalyst added.
